Britain has decided to abandon its plan for a post-Brexit alternative to the EU’s “CE” product quality mark. This decision comes after business leaders warned that the plan was causing unnecessary complications for manufacturers. The indefinite postponement of the “UKCA” safety mark has been welcomed by the industry after years of lobbying to abandon the new rules.
The government has announced that businesses selling electronic, industrial, and consumer products in the British market can now use either the UKCA or CE marks to demonstrate that their goods meet industrial standards. The aim of this decision is to reduce red tape and avoid a sudden change with the introduction of UKCA in 2025.
Kevin Hollinrake, the business minister, emphasized that this decision will allow firms to focus on creating jobs and fueling economic growth. However, it should be noted that construction products and medical devices are not included in this decision and will still have to use the UK quality assurance system.
The British Chambers of Commerce has expressed relief at this move but has also called for further efforts to reduce regulatory gaps with the EU. This decision also reflects the UK government’s acceptance of the limitations of post-Brexit divergence.
Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary, has largely abandoned the UKCA mark as part of her efforts to simplify the post-Brexit business landscape. This decision has been welcomed by many in the industry who have viewed the mark as a costly distraction. However, it has also disappointed Brexiters who believed that divergence from EU laws and standards would boost productivity in the UK.
David Henig, a former official at the UK Department for International Trade, commented that this decision highlights the challenges faced by the UK in establishing a rival regulatory system. Smaller markets like the UK face difficult choices compared to the regulatory superpower of the EU.
Business groups have repeatedly warned that the UKCA mark was creating unnecessary burdens by duplicating EU certification regimes. The Construction Products Association has expressed concerns about the exclusion of their sector from the postponement, which could create uncertainty for the UK building industry.
The British Healthcare Trades Association has also requested clarification on the outlook for their sector, as the UKCA system will be postponed until 2028-2030. The introduction of the UKCA mark has already been delayed multiple times, causing frustration among businesses that had invested resources into preparing for the scheme.
Additionally, the plans to introduce the UKCA mark exposed a lack of capacity in the UK certification industry to conduct tests on safety-critical products. Stephen Phipson, the chief executive of Make UK, welcomed the postponement as a pragmatic decision that will safeguard the competitiveness of UK manufacturers and attract investment.
Hilary Benn, former chair of the Brexit select committee, suggested that the government should align with EU standards unless there is a clear benefit in divergence. Sam Lowe, a trade expert, believes that the government has accepted the inevitable with this decision but acknowledges that companies that have already invested in adaptation may feel aggrieved.
On a separate note, the government has also announced plans to update post-Brexit product safety regulations to accommodate devices of the internet era, such as smart watches and speakers. These proposed reforms, including more flexible use of electronic labeling, aim to save businesses time and money. The business department believes that these changes will have a positive impact on UK small businesses impacted by outdated EU regulations.
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